Cholesterol is one of the beneficial substances involved in metabolism. Cholesterol enters the body from animal products.
Cholesterol is a lipophilic alcohol that plays a role in the formation of cell membranes, in the synthesis of certain hormones and vitamins, and in other metabolic processes.
Cholesterol is necessary for the body, but its high content can lead to diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular, atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol is transported throughout the body with the bloodstream by carriers: high and low density lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins are called "bad" cholesterol, and when they increase in the blood, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases significantly. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend reducing their level. However, a decrease in high-density lipoprotein increases the risk of heart disease.
The norm of cholesterol in the blood in healthy people is 5 mol / l and lower. The intake of cholesterol by healthy people should not exceed 300 mg per day, and with an increase in the content of cholesterol in the blood (hypercholesterolemia) not exceeding 200 mg per day.
General description of the diet
The purpose of the high cholesterol diet is to reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol, prevent the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system, normalize the functioning of the kidneys and liver, activate metabolic processes and improve blood circulation.
The diet should meet the principle of mechanical saving, which has a beneficial effect not only on the digestive system, but also on the cardiovascular system.
The high cholesterol diet corresponds to the treatment table No. 10 and n. 10C.
The treatment table for high cholesterol includes the restriction of salt and fat (mainly of animal origin).
Characteristics of the table (per day):
- the energy value is 2190 - 2570 kcal;
- proteins - 90 gr. , of which 55 - 60% of animal origin;
- fats 70 - 80 gr. , of which at least 30 gr. vegetables;
- carbohydrates no more than 300 gr. for overweight people, and for people with normal body weight 350 gr.
Basics of diet
Diet
Fractional food, 5 times a day. This allows you to reduce food portions and suppress hunger between meals.
Temperature
The temperature of the food is normal, there are no restrictions.
salt
The quantity of table salt is limited to 3 - 5 gr. , The food is prepared unsalted, if necessary salted at the table. Salt causes fluid retention in the body, which increases the load on the cardiovascular system.
Liquid
The use of free liquids up to 1. 5 liters (discharge of the cardiovascular and urinary system).
Alcohol
Alcohol should be avoided, especially spirits. But doctors advise (in the absence of contraindications) to take 50-70 ml of natural red wine at night, which contains flavonoids with antioxidant properties (therefore dry red wine protects the walls of blood vessels from the formation of atherosclerotic plaques). In addition, a strict smoking ban is imposed.
Weight
Obese and overweight people need to normalize their weight. Excess fat in the body is an additional source of "bad" cholesterol and also complicates the work of the heart and blood vessels.
Foods rich in lipotropic substances and vitamins
Preference should be given to fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins C and P, group B, potassium and magnesium salts. These vitamins protect the vascular walls thanks to the antioxidant action and potassium and magnesium are involved in the heart rhythm.
Fat
Whenever possible, vegetable fats should be replaced as much as possible. Vegetable fats do not contain cholesterol, in addition they are useful for the walls of blood vessels with a high content of vitamin E (antioxidant).
Forbidden foods for high cholesterol
The list of prohibited foods for high cholesterol mainly includes animal fats - they are the source of "bad" cholesterol.
You should also refuse carbohydrates, which are easily digested, turning into fat and, consequently, cholesterol.
You shouldn't eat foods that activate and excite the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Food should be steamed, boiled or cooked. Frying products are excluded, as low-density lipoproteins and carcinogens are formed during the frying process. Almost all vegetables are eaten cooked, as raw fiber in large quantities causes flatulence.
List of prohibited products:
- rich fresh bread, products based on yeast and puff pastry, pancakes, fried pies, pancakes, pasta of soft wheat varieties (they contain easily digestible carbohydrates);
- high-fat whole milk, fat cottage cheese, sour cream, cheeses;
- fried and boiled eggs (especially the yolk - a source of saturated fat);
- soups on concentrated broth and fish and meat fat, mushroom broths;
- fatty meats (lamb, pork), poultry (duck, goose), chicken skin, especially fried, sausages, sausages;
- fatty fish, caviar, salted fish, preserves, fried fish with margarine and solid fats;
- solid fats (lard, margarine, cooking oil);
- squid, shrimp;
- natural coffee prepared from the beans (during preparation, the fats come out of the beans);
- vegetables, especially deep-fried in solid fats (French fries, French fries, fried in soup), coconuts and salted nuts;
- mayonnaise, sour cream and cream sauces;
- confectionery creams, chocolate, cocoa, cakes, ice cream.
Approved products
Foods recommended on a high cholesterol diet should contain a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, which are sources of "good" cholesterol.
First of all, this applies to fish, which includes omega-3-unsaturated fatty acids. Fish is also a source of vitamin D.
A large amount of soluble fiber (oatmeal) increases the level of high-density lipoprotein. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of antioxidants which strengthen the vascular walls. There are also a lot of antioxidants (vitamin E) in nuts.
A diet with a high cholesterol level is designed to normalize the ratio of high-grade (rising) to low-grade (down) lipoproteins.
List of allowed products:
- dry bread or of yesterday, wholemeal flour, bread with bran, durum wheat pasta;
- vegetable oils in any quantity, except palm oil (fill salads with unrefined vegetable oil);
- vegetables: potatoes, cauliflower and white cabbage, carrots (removes toxins), lettuce (source of folic acid), pumpkin, zucchini, beets;
- lean meats and poultry (rabbit, turkey and skinless chicken, veal, lean beef);
- seafood: limited scallops, oysters, mussels and crabs;
- fish, especially sea fish, lean varieties (baked and boiled): tuna, haddock, flounder, cod, cod, hake;
- legumes as a source of vegetable proteins;
- nuts (walnuts, peanuts) contain a large amount of phospholipids which reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol, they are sources of vitamin E;
- onions and garlic, contain a lot of vitamin C, protect the vascular walls, remove limescale deposits and fat from the body;
- oatmeal, cereals, puddings from other cereals (cereals must be cooked in diluted milk);
- low-fat milk, lean cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir, yogurt, low-fat and unsalted cheeses;
- juices, especially citrus fruit (a lot of ascorbic acid, which strengthens the vascular wall);
- weakly brewed tea, coffee drink with milk, decoctions of vegetables, rose hips, compotes;
- seasonings: pepper, mustard, spices, vinegar, lemon, horseradish.
The need for a diet
Compliance with the diet regulates the content of high and low density lipoproteins, thus reducing the level of "bad" cholesterol.
The high cholesterol treatment bed allows you to normalize its content without taking drugs. In addition, in people on a diet, the vessels remain "clean" for a long time, the blood circulation in them is not disturbed, which not only has a beneficial effect on the state of the cardiovascular system, but also on the condition of the skin, nails and hair.
A large amount of antioxidants in foods recommended with high cholesterol slows skin aging, prevents the development of pathologies of internal organs and increases vitality.
Consequences of not following the diet
High blood cholesterol is the first bell of the impending atherosclerosis of the vessels.
With atherosclerosis, plaques are formed on the walls of blood vessels, which narrow the lumen of the arteries of the veins, which threatens not only the development of circulatory disorders in the body as a whole, but also dangerous complications such as stroke and myocardial infarction.
In addition, high cholesterol is one of the factors in the development of hypertension and cerebral atherosclerosis (impaired memory, impaired vision, tinnitus, sleep disturbances, dizziness).